Hello all, I was wondering if any of you guys would happen to know of any good web sites to find out what shape and flip block of a core will perform what reaction or hook shape on the lane.  I've gotten a little rusty on my technical information and need to refresh myself about the core of the ball wether it be a bulb like structure or some funky core with 4 flip blocks.  I'd highly apprectiate it if you would send me some links that you might know or just post what you know about them.  I'm sure sawbones or other great BR members would have some of that information. Thanks a lot.

Hey BowlerStyle,

It actually has become even a little more complicated then just shapes these days due to the possibility of various densities which are being used for each component.  To some degree, the thinner taller core still causes a ball to tumble down a lane which promotes more length(high rg) vs a shorter smaller core which can rev up sooner creating earlier revs(low rg).

The basis in which I personally use to gauge balls today are simply their rg, differential and intermediate differential ratings(if applicable).  These 2-3 components will help you understand what the design was of the block was intended to do.  Now add in your coverstock on top of this and you've got it.  Here's a link to help understand the numbers behind rg and differentials.  Hope this helps and feel free to pm me if you have any questions, thanks.

http://columbia300.com/innovation/techdocs.cfm?id=5

On edit: If you took a core and added flip blocks to top and bottom, now change the density of the top block, you've got a whole other ball but the shape can still remain somewhat the same.  That's why I mentioned that by varying densities, you can achieve different reactions by altering rg and overall differential.  I'm not personally into design (yet) but would like to be.  I think King of the Mill is the expert here on this subject with his knowledge in the technical area.
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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Amateur/Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

Edited on 6/29/2004 5:58 AM

I feel like when reading all of this information I'm going back to my college physics and calculus days to understand what all of these flip blocks are designed like and what reactions you will get out of them....

Matt